ok so yesterday i pulled a couple of the spark plugs to see what condition they were in (after the obligatory breaking in half of at least one). I noticed they have quite a lot of oil fouling. What kind of problem does this signify? Anything serious? I'd like to know what im up against before I install new plugs. Thanks! Sean
any ideas about how id go and replace the piston rings and/or fixing those seals? those things i could do myself right?
I don't know your skill level, so I'm going to say no you can't do it yourself (becaused you asked that) Doing the valve seals can be done with the head on the engine with just a couple of wrenchs a valve spring compressor and a piece of rope. Doing rings is a whole new ball game. Did you do a compression check ?
I have the same problem with the PoliceMav and I'm going to tackle it very soon. It is most likely bad valve seals. It is a relatively simple procedure to fix and the seals are available most anywhere. I got a set at my local parts shop very cheaply. You'll need the following special tools, however, and they are readily available. * Valve spring compressor, hand tool * Adaptor for pressurizing the cylinder with compressed air. The reason to have to pressurize the cylinder is to prevent the valves from dropping down into the cylinder after you've removed the retainer rings. This would be very bad and necessitate removal of the head to retreive the dropped valve(s). This adaptor kit replaces the spark plugs and hooks up to an air line from a compressor. You fill the cylinder with compressed air and it prevents the valves from dropping after you remove the spring and retainer. Other than that, you only need to remove the valve cover, remove the rocker arm assembly which comes off as one unit, remove the valve springs and retainers after you've pressurized the cylinder (one cylinder at a time operation), and replace the seals. Reverse the procedure to reassemble. New cover gasket and replace the cover and there you are!!
I said a piece of rope because then you don't need a air compressor or the fitting to keep air on the cylinder, works very well!
cool now if i can just get that stubborn valve cover off, i'll be able to get some work done! I havnt done the compression check as i dont have a gauge, something i actually meant to buy on saturday. My skill level isnt much but im learning quite a bit the more i mess around with the engine (hopefully i wont trash it). I'm actually planning to get some qualifications and get into the trade. So what do i do with the rope? Sean
Sean; the rope is to hang yourself with when you get fed up with the car!!! Just kidding. The rope is to feed into the spark plug hole, and fill the cylinder, so the valves don't fall into the cylinder when the spring and keeper are released. Just feed it in, hand turn the engine to get the piston up, but not too far, just enough to hold the valve, and change the spring. Hope this helps. Earl
I didn`t have any rope so I used a screw driver to keep the valve up . That wasn`t anything you could call fun.
